Russ Smith hopes to announce decision Wednesday

Smith’s father said after the national title game that his son would give up his final year of eligibility to enter the NBA Draft. Smith quickly backed off that announcement, however, and was said to be 50-50 on whether to return and help U of L defend its title.

Smith averaged 18.7 points per game this past season, including 21 points a game in the five NCAA Tourney games leading up to the national championship game. Smith scored nine points in the Cards’ win over Michigan that night.